A/N: Hai everyone, well if you live in the uk...Merlin has ended (cries) not quite the ending I would have liked. So now this story is definitely AU if there were any doubts before hehe.

Like to say a huge thanks to Flyaway213 for betaing my chapters for me.

Chapter 3: The King Awakens

Arthur knew he had dreamed for a long time, reliving many battles, many choices over and over. Yet, it seemed like yesterday that his kingdom had fallen, when he had said goodbye to Merlin as he lay upon that boat and condemned the warlock to a terrible fate. He dreamed of Merlin, of happy times riding through the forest to go hunting. Merlin would be complaining all the way through. Then it would jump; some would be quiet times with Gwen, Merlin in the background watching over them. Then it would be training with the knights or sitting 'round the camp fire laughing with his most loyals.

The dreams blurred and shaped him as he realized how much Merlin had been there for him. Now and then, he would hear Merlin calling, screaming for him to wake up and he would find himself sitting in a glade crying as the Merlin's call carried a tinge of madness and pain. He longed to answer Merlin, but he just couldn't seem to wake. These times the dream would turn dark and he would see all his failures interspersed with the times he had been cruel to Merlin or when the warlock had been hurt. Every now and then he would get a flash of crystal with Merlin in the centre writhing as he tried to get free from his torment. But these were just flashes to be forgotten as a sweet melody lulled him back to the calm dreams.

Finally, a scream rang across the glade that shattered the dream and he felt the sleep falling from his body as he answered the call of Merlin. He wanted to hit the idiot servant over the head for using that saying again. He hated it:

"Wake up, lazy daisy!"

He felt whatever he was laying on almost pulse as he fought to open his eyes; he blinked at the bright almost blue light that shined down from a crystal in the roof of wherever he was laying. He sat up with a groan as his joints felt stiff from his long slumber. He looked around to marvel at the place he found himself in. White alabaster highlighted with gold covered the walls; each wall had a clear segment from decoration to show a painted mural with aspects of his life. Before him was the Battle of Camlann and behind him the beginning of the Great Purge. Around the crystal, ghostly dragons flew as guardians dived down to circle 'round him before landing in a semi-circle before him. One was different from the rest; instead of being a glowing blue, this was gold and much larger.

"Greetings, Arthur Pendragon," the gold dragon rumbled, its wise, glowing eyes regarding him carefully.

"Who...or what are you?"

The dragon laughed a deep rumble as he looked at the young king, "I would have thought that was obvious, young Pendragon. I am a dragon. My name is Kilgharrah, but I suppose you would know me as the Great Dragon."

Arthur moved back a little at this statement; after all, he had killed the great dragon. Would it now try and get revenge for this? He looked up and down at the ghostly beast, waiting to see what its reaction would be, but the dragon seemed to be waiting for him to speak. He must admit, what came out of his mouth was not very kingly.

"You're..um…smaller."

The dragon almost fell over in its laughter, great roaring chuckles echoing round the vast oval chamber. Arthur sat there while the dragon seemed to get this out of his system before standing back up to speak to the king.

"You are very observant, Arthur Pendragon. Do not fear, I bear you no ill will. It's not as if you slayed me that day."

"What? I did!"

"And who, pray tell, told you this?" the dragon gave a low chuckle.

"Mer…oh!" the king's eyes lightened with realization. "But, how? And why not stop you when you first attacked?"

"That…is not fully my story to tell, but at that moment he did not...have the power."

"Oh, but he said he was the most powerful!"

"He is, but some things do not come to fruition without the passing of another," the dragon lied down, curling his ghostly tail round his body.

"So, what now?"

"What happens now is up to you, young Pendragon. You can stay here and live a life free of toil, or you can return to the land of men, who desperately needs your help."

"Will...Merlin be there?" Arthur asked with hope lilting his voice, not even considering living here without Merlin.

"He will as he is one in the most need. He is holding the balance on a knife edge; he is the only thing stopping all things from ending. It is costing him greatly to do so. I am glad to see his faith in you is well placed. You will not begin your search alone, never fear. Give my regards to the young warlock," with that, the dragon burst in a cloud of magic and the other blue dragons flew towards individual alcoves to disappear into the stone biers. A moment later groans could be heard as his fellow knights that he had not noticed till this moment began to wake.

"Sir Percival, Sir Leon…Gwaine," Arthur called as he jumped off his bum to rush towards his knights. "I am glad to see you guys," he clapped Leon and Percival on their shoulders who, in turn, clasped his arms.

"As we are you, sire," Leon replied. "Merlin promised we would see you again."

"Merlin brought you here?" Arthur looked to Leon.

"Yes, we had fallen on the field. I remember almost floating, then Merlin came and asked me if I would serve you again. I did not hesitate to follow," Arthur gripped tighter onto Leon's arm a moment in feeling.

"Thank you, Sir Leon, and you, Percival? You were alive when we parted."

"I lived a long life, Sire. I helped defend Camelot as long as we could with the help of King Lot, but finally it was overrun. I lived in Merlin's Hometown of Ealdor for many seasons helping his mother. Until death came for me. But, before I could pass, Merlin was there. He looked tired but thanked me for caring for his mother before giving me the choice to serve you again to which I agreed," Percival nodded to his king.

"Thank you, Percival."

"Hello, Princess," the others stepped away from Arthur as Gwaine stepped forward. "Are you alright?"

"Gwaine, it's even good to see you. I am surprisingly well," Arthur stepped forward to clap Gwaine on the shoulder.

"Good, then I won't feel so bad about doing this," one moment Gwaine was looking down, never meeting Arthurs gaze, and the next moment Arthur was on the floor from a punch to the jaw. Gwaine was holding him by the front of his chain-mail, yelling into his face, "How could you do that to him? He was like a brother to you, protected you! How could you abandon Merlin like that?"

Arthur looked away ashamed as Gwaine just snarled at him before pushing him roughly away, "I didn't know, Gwaine. I didn't know they would imprison him for helping Morgana."

"It doesn't matter if you didn't know! You asked him after all she has done to us, all she has done to him! Let's get one thing straight, Arthur Pendragon! I did not return for you. I am here for him; he has been in that prison for a time I can't even comprehend. He will need me, need all of us and if you start to order him around and be a prat that we all know you are to him…..," Gwaine was pulled off by Leon and Percival who then tried to calm him down.

"You don't have to finish, Gwaine. You have my permission to beat me to a pulp if I take him for granted again," Arthur got up slowly from the floor, brushing down his form though no dust resided there. He locked eyes with Gwaine making clear that he was serious about letting Gwaine hurt him if he hurt Merlin anymore. Gwaine nodded his head once before looking away from his king.

"What do we do now, sire?" Leon asked as he looked back and forth between Gwaine and Arthur.

Arthur was blocked from answering as the ground shook and a great rumble echoed from the tunnel. They watched as the dark tunnel lit up with light and, as the entrance to the hill opened, Arthur smiled and turned back to his men, "First, we return to Camelot; then, we find Merlin." He turned and began walking towards the entrance to finally emerge from their place of slumber to a wondrous sight.

All around was a lake of glowing sapphire and the island upon which they stood pulsed with magic like a breathing thing. He could see a castle on another raised mound at the other side of the island, the land covered with silver and gold leaved trees that swayed in a rose scented breeze. Arthur looked down at the assembled people and creatures waiting below; he saw fairies, Gryphons and all other manner of magical beings. He recognized the sight of the magical lady that had carried him away from the shore that day...and he recognized Morgana as her fear filled eyes locked with his. He heard Gwaine snarl as he came to stand beside him and the others soon joined them at the entrance.

"What is she doing here? Where are we?"

"I did ask Merlin to save her, remember? As to where we are, I have no idea," Arthur never turned his gaze from Morgana who started to wring her hands as she watched him.

"Avalon, Merlin said he had sent you to Avalon," Percival spoke quietly, almost as if he was trying to recall a memory.

"Come on, let us see what the lady Morgana has to say for herself," Arthur led the way down the cut slope that winded down to the glade in which they all stood. Fae began to fly round them as they descended, singing and trailing glowing dust of all colours behind them. Finally they stood in the glade; the knights flanked their king before all of them bowed before the lady and lord who clearly ruled this kingdom.

"King Arthur Pendragon, I am the Lady Titania and this is my Lord Oberon. We welcome you from your slumber to the land of Avalon," Queen Titania spoke, her voice as gentle as a song.

"We thank you, my lady. We hope we cause no trespass on your lands and ask what has befallen the land of men," Arthur spoke with all his wisdom, his eyes locked on Morgana again as all of them raised from their kneeling positions.

Titania looked between Arthur and Morgana and smiled before leading the lady forward. Morgana seemed terrified of Arthur, "All in good time, King Arthur, but first, re-introductions are in order, I think. This child has worried herself for centuries. I am sure you remember your sister the Lady Morgana."

"Morgana."

"Arthur," Morgana's voice was timid as she waited for Arthur to react to her in some way.

"You are well, it seems, but I wonder, was it worth me saving you and condemning Merlin to his hell?"

"It wasn't. Merlin deserved better," Gwaine snarled from behind.

"Quiet, Gwaine," Arthur turned to Gwaine to calm him before turning back to Morgana. "What do you think, my lady?"

"It wasn't. Merlin did deserve better. I know nothing I can say will make it right," Morgana looked down, not able to meet his gaze. Arthur looked at her, regarding her form. She seemed like she used to be before she went to ruin.

"Are you sorry, Morgana?"

"W-what?" Morgana stammered.

"Are you sorry?" Arthur asked again.

"I am, I am so sorry, brother," her eyes showed only sorrow and no betrayal.

"Then it is in the past," Arthur nodded as if the matter was closed.

"Princess, you can't be serious? Just saying sorry isn't enough!" Gwaine stalked forward to stand before his king.

"Once upon a time, someone else said sorry to me. Sorry was all they could offer for their betrayal of my trust. I forgave them. It would be a bit unfair if I did not do the same for my sister."

"Who could possibly betray you and sorry work for them?" Gwaine looked up to the sky waving his arms out in anger. "We banished everyone who did or killed them."

"Merlin."

Gwaine seemed to deflate as his anger faded. Of course it would be Merlin. He looked at Morgana before him with an almost disgusted sigh and turned away. He couldn't forgive her, but he would not hate her, not anymore. He knew old grudges only fester and cause more pain; imagine what centuries of it would do. He decided to keep his eyes on the scenery rather that make any more of this.

"Avalon seems to have suited you well. I remember Merlin saying you would not be able to leave this realm," Arthur's eyes seemed to glaze over a moment as he thought back to the memory.

"He spoke true; just as he will never have entry here, I am no longer able to return to the land of mortals. I am a steward here. Although, now that you have woken, I am without a duty. I was appointed to protect you and your knights as you slumbered," Morgana looked to the Lady Titania in question.

"Never fear, my dear. Arthur will need guidance from this realm and you will be the one to offer it. Come, let us retire to a more comfortable place."

The Lady Titania, with her hand still on Lord Oberon's, led them from the glade to a large alabaster stone pavilion. In the centre were comfortable seats for them all, the white stone highlighted in silver that caught the hues of the land and seemed to shimmer in ethereal blues and greens. They waited for the lord and lady to be seated first before they themselves sat. Once inside, the sound of the crowd of beings disappeared. Before them were all manner of food. The Queen indicated they should eat first and only now did they realize how hungry they were. They ate, each telling Arthur of their last moments and of Merlin; once they had eaten their fill, they gaze returned to the King and Queen of the Fae.

"My lord and lady. I fear I have many questions to ask of you. First among them is…Merlin. What has become of him?"

"You know some of it, King Arthur; you have seen it in your slumber;" Lord Oberon spoke now for the first time as he looked at his mortal equal.

"I saw flashes of him trapped in crystal, and him calling for me. Other times, it would be just memories. I wasn't sure."

"Emrys is trapped in the crystal cave, in the place once known as the Valley of the Fallen Kings, though it has long since shed that name. There, his very soul is keeping the worlds of both mortal and magical from falling into the Abyss. It is not a pleasant experience but he has held on for your return, King Arthur," Oberon locked his amethyst eyes onto Arthur's brown ones.

"What can I do to free him?"

"You must return to what is the ruin of men, the land is out of balance and Emrys can restore this balance. You and he are two sides of a coin and only you will be able to free him and restore the balance."

"What I don't understand is what has caused the balance to, well, be unbalanced so much. The lands were fine when we were still there," Gwaine spoke up from the back, his gaze locking onto all information regarding Merlin.

"You are right when you say the world was not out of balance as it is now. When Emrys first became imprisoned he only slumbered. But, when the prophesied darkness came, that changed as more was drawn from him to protect the balance. Men seared the skies and the land. Oceans turned to ash and men along with it," the Lady Titania replied to Gwaine, her eyes sad.

"So, magic destroyed the world?"

"No, Arthur. Men. Men turned to their science and, in their arrogance, destroyed themselves. The land is barren and those that remain eke out a dark existence," Morgana waved her hand and an image appeared of nothing but ruin, no green could be seen as clouds of dust and ash carried on an unforgiving breeze.

"But what caused it? Why?" Percival gasped at the destruction.

"The power of men and their desire for more of it ultimately destroyed them," Oberon's voice was dark with disgust.

"Then we must get started. I want to get to Merlin as soon as I can," Arthur stood and his knights followed suit.

"The Lady Morgana will take you to the lake. There, you will gain passage to the Land of Men. But be warned, Arthur Pendragon. The Paths of Magic are broken so getting you back to where you left will be impossible. We will get you as close as we can and no more. The rest you will have to do on your own," Titania's eyes held compassion and sorrow that they could do no more.

"Thank you, my lord and lady," Arthur bowed low to them before turning to Morgana. "Lead the way, sister."

They walked from the pavilion and down towards the water before them. Morgana walked beside Arthur while the knights came close behind and other fae swirled around them. In the distance, Arthur could see a boat on the water and, standing beside it, a form of a woman. He looked to Morgana before speaking:

"Have you been well, Morgana?"

"Being here made me realize everything. The Lady Titania showed me what could have been and I cried for a long time at the mistakes I made. She also showed me Merlin's mistakes regarding me but also showed he was sorry for them," she spoke softly in her loss of a path that could have been so bright.

"Merlin's mistakes?"

"Merlin knew about my magic almost from the very beginning and tried to help me without revealing himself. But he was young as was I, he had so much pressure placed upon him by others. Yet, he still tried to help me. Even though others were telling him to kill me or let me die when I got injured, he still tried to help me. I was afraid, Arthur, and my fear turned to hatred towards those that caused me to fear for my life. Like our father. I know now I was blinded by my hatred and fear."

"I am sorry for what father did. I wish I could have helped you back then."

"No, Arthur. It is alright. You were under the pressure of being the prince, then king. There was nothing really you could do. I should have trusted you but I could not see any way out."

"I am glad you have found peace here, Morgana. I truly am."

"Thank you, brother. I hope I can help you do the same," she smiled at her brother and he returned it. Both their hearts felt lighter knowing they could rebuild the trust they once had.

They came to the lakeside seeing the brown boat carved with wards and highlighted in gold and blue. The water lapped leisurely at the sides of the boat as a woman waited, her feet in the warm waters that lapped the shore. She smiled as she beheld Arthur and beckoned him forward. She wore a plain dress but she was beautiful, almost as much as the Lady Titania.

"Greetings, Arthur Pendragon, and dear friend of Merlin," her voice lilted like water.

"Greetings, my Lady. You know me, may I have the pleasure of your name?"

"I am Freya, the Lady of the Lake and holder of Merlin's heart as he is of mine," she smiled sadly.

"You know Merlin?" Arthur was shocked. "You are a girl and you know Merlin…and…love him?"

Freya laughed as she looked at the king's shocked face. It was not the fact that Merlin had a girl…Well, it was a little, but he never seemed to want one. In all the years he had known Merlin, the man had never said. 'But why should that surprise you?' his mind whispered. "There is a lot about him we don't know, isn't there?'

"Yes, I love him, and despair that we will never be together again," she glared at Morgana. "But you are dear to him; you were his purpose, his life, and I will help you all I can and, so, help him."

"Dear lady, why will you not see him again?" Percival spoke up, walking forward.

Freya looked at Arthur sadly before she spoke, "It is not my story to tell, but I died by your hand, Arthur Pendragon. Merlin sent me here and, in gratitude for him loving me, I swore I would help him and repay his kindness. When he forged the blade for you it was not time for you to wield it. I became its guardian in the Lake of Avalon and, when you left the shores of mortal men, Sir Percival placed it into my care once more. Now, I return it to you."

She held her hand out over above the shallow water, bubbling and coiling up to meet her hand as voices danced 'round. Slowly, a blade could be seen rising out of the shallow water as if spawned by the water itself until, finally, Arthur's sword lay dry in her grasp.

"This is the sword forged in a dragon's breath; there has been no other like it. It is yours by right and by destiny. It is time you gave the sword a name. Listen to its call, it will tell you its name."

She handed the blade to Arthur and the blade sang to be back it is other master's grasp; all around could hear the lilting song. Arthur's gaze became unfocused as he gazed at the ruins on the blade. He remembered Merlin's words so long ago, "Take me up, cast me away." The words repeated over and over until one more was added, "Take me up, cast me away, for I am Excalibur."

"Excalibur," Arthur murmured.

"What?" Leon finally spoke after keeping his own counsel through all of this.

"Its name is Excalibur," his voice was awed as the swords song died away.

"But, how do you know that?" Gwaine asked as he, too, looked at the blade.

"It told me."

"Then it is time. Take Excalibur and return to the land of men. Bring balance back to the lands," Freya whispered as she dissolved into water and disappeared into the lake. The lake glowed and the boats rock to and fro in the rising power.

"Let's go see Merlin," Arthur turned to Morgana and enveloped her in a hug which she returned with a wet laugh. "Goodbye, Morgana"

"Goodbye, brother. Take this with you," she took a medallion from around her neck. On the front was the Pendragon crest and on the back was a mirror-like surface. "When you have need of me just look into the silver surface and call my name. I will help you where I can. But be warned, magic's hold is very weak in the land of men. Use it wisely."

"I will, thank you," he placed the medallion 'round his neck before, with a nod to his knights, he climbed into the boat. Once they were all seated, the boat began to move on its own. The water bubbled as mist rose to cover them from view. King Arthur left the land of Avalon and returned to the world of men...what was left of it.

Tbc

A/N

There we go, bit of a longer chapter for you all. Sorry for the wait. Now the Xmas madness has ended I should have more time to write

Please read and review.